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By Renee Eagar, CFP®*
As an advisor in a male-dominated world, I have a keen appreciation for the determination and fortitude shown by all the women who have decided to take charge of their personal finances.
The freedom and empowerment that you feel when you take the first steps toward determining your own future may be foreign to some readers. But to the many women who are determined to be the change agent in their own lives, I salute you.
I salute you for taking charge and not letting conformity force you into a role that for so long has seen us as passengers in our own lives. Earlier generations may have often sat in the background, but modern women are now more often corporate leaders with bold plans and impressive track records.
Look no further than the country’s richest woman, Magda Wierzycka, who made her own way by co-founding investment company Sygnia. Or former Absa CEO, Maria Ramos, or the JSE duo of Nicky Newton-King and Leila Fourie who have ensured that Africa’s largest bourse has been led by a woman for the past 9 years. What this says to me is that we no longer need to talk about women taking their rightful place, we’re already in that place.
Everyday heroes
I see this in the growing number of clients who are making their way up the corporate ladder. One of their primary concerns is to ensure they use this opportunity to plan properly for their future.
And they’re doing this not in isolation from their spouse or partner, but in tandem and in parallel. Why shouldn’t you have your own investment plan or rainy-day fund to supplement your family’s financial plan?
If you can at all afford it, try investing in yourself and your future simply out of principle: because you can, and because you wish to give yourself some extra comfort. This doesn’t have to be an extravagant gesture or plan. A few hundred rand a month dedicated to your own, personal financial goals will buy you the same sense of accomplishment as a few thousand rand.
Take nothing for granted
Whether you see the opportunity to save R500 a month, invest R2,000 a month or get that life cover you’ve been meaning to buy, know that good financial decisions today will be rewarded tomorrow.
Best of all, there’s a wealth of online tools, platforms and learning material you can use to get started and gain the confidence that you’re on the right path. And if you’re still not sure, ask an expert advisor to help you figure it out.
None of the successful women in business got to their positions by waiting on others to tell them what they could or could not do. You shouldn’t either: you can take charge of your financial future today.
You deserve your place at the table
Which could also mean taking charge of your family’s financial future. Most couples share the responsibility on family financial planning, while some are happy for the wife to take the lead on these decisions.
These couples are clearly comfortable with this because their partnership allows each to equally contribute knowledge and expertise. Which is a long way of saying that only you can take responsibility for your own financial future.
If you happen to be the one in the relationship with the head for numbers and are happy to take on the role, then don’t be shy to do it. Especially when it comes to the uncomfortable discussion about estates and Wills. You have just as much right as your partner to know what the estate plan contains and intends. If only so that you’re prepared for what’s to come.
After all, the future might not be absolutely clear, but it helps to eliminate the guesswork.
You too can eliminate doubt and guesswork by taking a more active role in your future. And you don’t have to do it alone. We have consultants and financial planners around the country who have been creating personalised plans for women who wish to be better prepared for the future.
If you make no other commitment this year, at the very least promise yourself to shed the shackles and participate more actively in your family’s financial future. Only you can make the decision to learn more and do more about your future.
Read more about investment planning.
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
